Crime Does Not Pay (1942-1955 Lev Gleason) comic books 1952

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Frank Frazetta, Fred Guardineer, Carl Wessler, Al McWilliams, Dick Rockwell, and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. An investigator tries to prove that a gangster's suicide was actually murder, but a blond femme fatale is out to get him first. A lawyer goes to work for a racketeer, but when his sister gets drawn in, he realizes he's gone too far. Detective Boyd learns that a doll holds the clue to an arson and murder gang. A classic anti-drug PSA featuring early art by fantasy and comics legend Frank Frazetta. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." The Last Stand of Walther "The Profile" Taylor; We Can Stop the Enemies of Youth; Crooked Mouthpiece; The Killer Came East; The Case of the Deadly Doll; The Frame-Up That Backfired. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Kida, Al McWilliams, Dick Rockwell, Tony DiPreta and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. Mr. Crime narrates the tale of a gangster who wants to get out of the crime lifestyle, but first he must survive his ex-cronies. Cops try a desperate gamble to get the goods on elusive gangster Rock Madden. A gangster falls victim to his own murder-for-hire gang. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." Its Not Easy to Quit!; The State Versus Rock Madden; Pattern for Punks; The Man Who Ordered His Own Rub-Out; Scourge of the Waterfront; This'll Kill Ya. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG 4.0 $73.00 View scans Water damage.

Add to cart FR/GD 1.5 $36.00

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Al McWilliams, Dick Rockwell, Claude Moore and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. During Prohibition, a con man decides to use his mob to hijack a bootlegger's shipment of booze. Small-time hoods try to convince a just-released safecracker to come out of retirement for one last job. Detective Geoffrey learns that a custom clothing tag holds the clue to a book dealer's suicide. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." The Double-Cross That Boomeranged; Jim Franton, Bootlegger versus Bud Rollins, Con-Man; The Junkies; One Thrill Too Many; On the Level; The Case of the Custom-Made Clothes. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Al Bellman, and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. Cops chase a jewel thief and a fortune in gems from Rio de Janeiro to Manhattan. A gangster's wife wants his racket in the divorce, and she's willing to kill to get it, in a story featuring classic bad-girl art. A deadly gangland feud from Italy follows a mob boss to America. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." Hot Ice Can Burn; The Female of the Species Is Deadlier Than the Male; Lonely Hearts and Greedy Gals; The Vicious Vendetta Massacre; Rest in Peace Gang? 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by George Tuska, Fred Guardineer, Dick Rockwell, and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. A small-time hood falls for a blond femme fatale, unaware she's setting him up to be a gangster's fall guy. After a plane crash, robbers fleeing a crime wind up stranded in the ocean and turn on each other. The Danero brothers rise in the underworld of Prohibition Brooklyn, until they run into a gangster even more ruthless than them. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." Fall Guy Artie Black; Dis'll Kill Ya; Journey into Horror; Banks and Bullets; Bootleg Gold; Ya'll Die Laffin'; Trigger-Happy Torpedo. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Bob Fujitani, Fred Guardineer, Norman Maurer, and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. A subway worker witnesses a murder, and his testimony could bring down a bootlegging empire - if he survives. Kevin carefully murders his successful twin brother and takes his place, only to learn his brother had skeletons in his closet - literally. Pete Carney masterminds a prison break by disguising himself and his cellmates as the warden's personal cook, in a story very similar to issue #69's "Tiger Harkness" story. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." Eye Witness; The Fatal Switch; Pete Carney; The Plush Pen; "Country" Adams, The Corn-Fed Killer. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Charles Biro and others. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. Mr. Crime narrates the tale of Sap Doretti, the violent thug whose lack of smarts makes him the perfect middle-management gangster, or so his bosses think. A stool pigeon faces mob reprisals after he testifies about his part in a robbery. A two-bit hood puts pressure on his aged mother after gangsters give him two days to pay off his gambling debts. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." The Tragic Tale of "Sap" Doretti; Kangaroo Justice; Vendetta; 3 Time Loser; Momma's Boy. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Fred Guardineer and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. A gang war erupts between the Vito and Morelle mobs during Prohibition. Twin brothers Lou and Bill Horton are just who a mobster needs for his next bank job. Brutal thug Jake "The Bull" is too trigger-happy for even his fellow hoods. Also featuring a vintage ad for WWII-era Army surplus camp gear. Booze, Bullets, and Brutality; Double Trouble; The Big Dope; Jake "The Bull" Van Zant; No Honor Among Thieves. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Frank Frazetta, Fred Guardineer, and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. Crusading reporter Mike Castle is in danger from ganglord Laird, but Mike's wife Elaine offers to run off with her old flame Laird if he'll leave Mike alone. Brothers Carl and Bill Barton have a robbery spree in New Orleans. A classic religious PSA featuring early art by fantasy and comics legend Frank Frazetta. Also featuring a vintage ad for a Sherlock Holmes "detective cap". The Deadly Challenge?; The Ferryboat Caper; The Girl Who Went Wrong; Terror in New Orleans; Prayer Works Wonders; Joe Blatz "The Terrible". 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Fred Guardineer and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. Cass Varger uses murder and trickery to get to the top of the mob heap, but he's made too many enemies along the way. Police are puzzled when a hood insists on confessing to a murder he clearly didn't commit. A mayor faces scrutiny when his opponent is murdered just before the election by someone dressed like a cop. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." Trapped by the Dead!; The Criminal Who Wanted to Punish Himself; The Late Tour; Terror on Loon Street; The Lone Witness. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Norman Maurer and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. The violent life and death of legendary outlaw John Dillinger. A young doctor and his wife are abducted by bank robbers after one of the gang is shot during a robbery. A former circus acrobat with a knack for safecracking becomes known to the police as The Human Fly. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." John Dillinger, Desperado to the Death; Bloody Hideout; The Alky Racket; Hear No Evil; The Human Fly. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Charles Biro. Stories and art by Fred Guardineer and Charles Biro. The title that launched the crime comics genre, Crime Does Not Pay was noted for its violent pre-Code content and lurid tales of underworld life. The story of notorious real-life gunman Pretty Boy Floyd. Mob boss Chris Ramsdell must face the music after one of his hoods shoots a senator's daughter. A tough DA is targeted by a gangster after he convicts his brother of murder. Also featuring a vintage ad for "Lev Gleason Comics picture trading cards." Pretty Boy Floyd, "Racketeer" Reward; Test Your Judgment!; Crime News Oddities; The End of the Underworld? 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.